November - Edible

Cut back asparagus fronds 1-2 inches from the ground. This will reduce disease problems.

Dig organic matter into vegetable garden soil; add a 2-4 inch layer.

Remove plant debris from the garden to avoid overwintering insects.

Still time to have your soil tested. Call us for booklet.

Turn your compost bin before cold weather arrives.

Enjoy the "fruits of your labors" for Thanksgiving dinner.

November - Ornamental

Drain the gas tank of your mower before storing.

Continue to plant bulbs.

Rake last of fallen leaves. Leaves left on lawn can kill grass.

Place all pesticides in a dry, warm place, out of children's reach to keep liquids from freezing.

Remember to feed the birds. Bird food selection guide available.

Cut back perennials killed by frost.

Prune dead or diseased branches from trees and shrubs.

November - Interior

Report your houseplants if the soil dries out quickly, if roots are growing out of the drainage hole and if water will not drain through the soil.

Pot up amaryllis bulbs for holiday blooms. Growing amaryllis factsheet available.

Reduce watering and fertilization of houseplants.

December - Edible

Order garden catalogs. Vegetable and flower catalog lists available.

After a month of cold temperatures, pot up chives and bring indoors. Cut back and water.

Cover garden tools with a light coating of oil to prevent rust. Nutritious sprouts can be grown in jars. Fun for kids. Factsheet available.

Have problems in the vegetable garden? Check out the University of Illinois Extension's "Ask the Expert" WEB site at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hort/ to get all your questions answered.

December - Ornamental

Do not use salt to clear snow or ice away. Runoff will harm nearby plants.

Decorate evergreens for the holidays.

Overwintering plants in containers? Loosely place wire mesh around the planter and fill the space with leaves.

Continue to plant bulbs as long as ground isn't frozen.

Decorate your window boxes with evergreens and berries.

Move smaller containers with trees and shrubs to an unheated garage.

Mulch perennial bed after ground is frozen.

Send a garden gift to a friend or relative. List of ideas available.

Keep poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts. Poinsettias and holiday plant care information available.

Cover your flower beds with Christmas tree branches for winter protection.

Birds need water in the winter. Use a durable plastic flower pot saucer to hold water.

Caulk any holes used by wasps to enter your home or garage.

Buy a fresh Christmas tree at a local farm. Listing of local Christmas tree farms available.

December - Interior

Did you know live mistletoe stems, leaves and berries are poisonous? Keep away from children.

Thinking of growing orchids? They need an indoor environment with temperatures between 60°-80°F and high humidity plus 12-14 hours of light.

Buy an orchid as a cut flower. Expensive, but blooms can last for weeks.

Punch holes in foil around holiday plants to allow drainage.

Use aluminum foil to line window sills. The foil reflects light and provides extra light for houseplants.

January - Ornamentals

Check for upcoming gardening classes at the University of Illinois Extension, 773-233-0476; the Chicago Botanic Garden 847-835-5440 and the Morton Arboretum 630-719-2468.

Stay off the lawn in the winter. Turf can be damaged by heavy foot traffic.

Read those horticultural magazines and gardening books that you put aside during the holidays.

Use Christmas tree branches as a mulch over perennials.

Check your local library for gardening books.

Remove heavy snows from shrubs.

Feed the birds.

Spreading wood ashes over your flower beds, can, in time, raise the soil's pH.

Move garden urns into the garage to prevent cracking during cold weather.

Plan this coming spring for winter color. Factsheet available.

January - Interior

Grow basil and chives on a sunny window in quart size heavy duty ziploc freezer bags.

Water houseplants when soil is dry. Overwatering causes root rot.

Try bonsai gardening - growing dwarfed trees - Factsheet available.

Do not put holiday gift plants on the TV. The environment is too warm.

Keep poinsettias blooming by keeping them away from drafts and keeping soil moist.

Remove dying flowers from amaryllis plants. Allowing seed pods to remain on the plant will reduce next year's flowers.

Try test tubes and beakers for unusual vases for cut flowers. Hospital supply stores might have them.

Grow orchids indoors - factsheet available.

Move houseplants to areas of best light in your home.

Try sprouts, mung beans, or alfalfa seeds indoors. It's fun and easy. Factsheet available.

Cut back or eliminate fertilization of houseplants during winter months.

Have kids build a simple bird feeder. Factsheet available

February - Ornamentals

Check for heaving of small shrubs and perennials. Push them back into the ground.

Force branches of flowering shrubs and trees such as viburnums, forsythia, pussy willow and redbud. Factsheet available.

Forced pussy willows can be used in dry arrangements and will last for years.

Pot up emerging crocuses and bring indoors to flower.

Order trees and shrubs such as crabapple, hawthorn and pyracantha to attract birds to your yard. Factsheet available.

Check trees and shrubs for areas that need pruning. The University of Illinois Extension has a fifty-five page comprehensive guide for pruning of trees, shrubs and evergreens for a charge. Call 773-233-0476 for more information.

Save milk jugs for hot caps and orange juice cans for placing around new transplants to control grub worms.

Start seeds indoors of cool season vegetables - broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for planting in April.

Plan the vegetable garden around your family vacation so as to avoid missing big harvests while you're gone.

Check the soil to be sure it is dry before working your vegetable garden bed. Soil should crumble in your hand.

Paint the handles of garden tools red or orange. This will make them easier to find in the garden.

Buy tools for upcoming growing season. Basic tools might include a shovel; spade; spading fork; rake; garden gloves; garden trowel and pruning shears.

Save plastic soda bottles to protect newly transplanted seedlings from spring frosts. Just cut out the bottoms.

Starting seeds indoors? Cover them with plastic wrap and palace on top of fridge. Bottom hat from fridge will speed up germination. Move seedlings to natural light after germination.

February - Interior

Grow attractive foliage houseplants from citrus seeds such as grapefruits, lemons and oranges.

Inspect your houseplants' roots. Check for soft, rotted, browned dead roots. Prune out and repot.

Air layer houseplants such as Dracena, Dieffenbachia, and the rubber plant. Factsheet available.

Place mesh screening wire over the drainage holes of pots to keep soil from washing out after watering.

Check light, temperature, moisture, nutrients and humidity in your home if your houseplants are not growing well.

Toss your fading poinsettia. Getting it to reflower is difficult, but if you want to try, there is a factsheet available.

Save some money by trying red gladioli instead of roses for Valentine's Day.

Winter 1998
Time to Think Christmas Trees | Caring for Poinsettias & Christmas Trees | Constructing a Holiday Wreath | Help Minimize Salt Injury to Shade Trees | '99 All-America Selection Vegetable Winners | Bug Bites | Cybergarden Sites | Lawn Care Calendar | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Locally Grown—Pumpkins & Winter Squash | Food for Thought | Food Handling | Food Safety | Health & Household Tips | Did You Know?

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